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Current Project

Chemistry and the Environment Division (VI)

 

Number: 2003-013-1-600

Title: Crop protection chemistry in Latin America: Harmonized approaches for environmental assessment and regulation

Task Group
Chairman:
Elizabeth Carazo

Members:
Irene Baptista De Alleluia, Allan S. Felsot, Roberto H. Gonzalez, Jan Linders, Ronald Parker, Kenneth D. Racke, and Don Wauchope

Objective:
Crop protection chemistry is at a critical juncture in Latin America. The use of agrochemicals and biotechnology for crop protection purposes has increased significantly in recent years, and the region now is one of the world's most important areas for both domestic agricultural production and export of agricultural commodities to North America, Europe, and other regions. The scientific study, evaluation, and regulation of crop protection chemistry is at an early stage of development in Latin America, particularly with respect to environmental considerations. There is some high quality research beginning in the region, but there are also many perception issues and public uncertainties being fueled by non-science-based environmental organizations. There is a need to consider lessons learned in other regions and to adapt for local use the various harmonized approaches which have already been developed and tested. This includes recommendations of previous IUPAC projects.

The primary objectives of this project are to:
1. Identify and prioritize the key regional issues related to crop protection chemistry and potential environmental impacts in Latin America.
2. Facilitate exchange of information and ideas regarding harmonized approaches available for the scientific evaluation and regulation of crop protection chemistry.
3. Develop recommendations for advancement of crop protection chemistry in Latin America.

Description:
The first phase of the project, targeted for 2004, will be to evaluate the current situation and state-of-the art with respect to Objective 1. An interdisciplinary working group, comprising experts from academia, government, and industry, will be created to facilitate this effort. Major emphasis will be placed on issues related to the environment, including environmental fate and residue monitoring, inputs and procedures for computer fate modeling, establishment of standards, persistent organic pollutants, and ecological and environmental risk assessment.

The second phase of the project will be a workshop focused on Objective 2 which will during 2005 bring together the diverse regional stakeholders in crop protection chemistry from the research and regulatory communities. Co-sponsorship for this activity has been preliminarily identified with the University of Costa Rica, National Agrochemical Association of Costa Rica, CropLife Latin America (formerly Latin America Crop Protection Association), and the International Association of Plant Protection Societies. The workshop will include both presentations, round-table discussions, and interactive, hands-on demonstrations.

The third phase of the project will be compilation of a set of recommendations related to Objective 3 and will occur during 2005 and 2006. This will be accomplished via the project working group, augmented with additional experts identified during the workshop. Conclusions and recommendations will be published in both hard copy and electronic format (web-based). It is anticipated that one or more additional IUPAC project proposals may emerge.

Progress:
An International Workshop on Crop Protection Chemistry in Latin America, is being organized on 14-17 February 2005, at the University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica
For more info, visit
<www.iupac.org/symposia/2005/crop-protection-chemistry> or
<www.altcomcr.net/crop-prot-chemistry>

> Conference report - see Chem. Int. Jul-Aug 2005

> A feature article on the Advancement of Harmonized Approaches for Crop Protection Chemistry in Latin America, authored by K. Racke, E. Caraza, and G. Robertys has been published in the Sep-Oct 2005 CI.

Last update: 30 August 2005

 

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Page last modified 30 August 2005.
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